For Episode 285 of Krystal Kyle & Friends, we took this opportunity, a watershed moment in American politics with recent and forthcoming elections for progressive candidates, to talk to David Griscom. He’s an expert on Texas politics and an insightful commentator on left electoral politics, and we’ve brought him on the show to talk Texas elections, the history of radicalism in a state to which MAGA politics are always ascribed, and so much more. Watch below:

David shows us all the ways that our culture’s perception of Texas politics is deeply flawed, both in terms of Texan radical history (a proud tradition) and as far as the current political scene is concerned. We talk about the linkages between the political style and messaging of Beto O’Rourke and James Talarico. Talarico has made massively successive appeals to working-class people via his support of economic populism and extremely well-executed strategies to reach voters on the ground. At the same time, while Talarico has done an excellent job of mobilizing progressives, he’s also avoided alienating a less progressive, more liberal electorate. He has the chance to bring together a genuine coalition that would tie into a proud history of left dissent in Texas politics, which David walked us through.

On the other end, there’s the Republican Party’s alienation of Hispanic and Muslim voters, plus their constant strategy of sowing fear and despair across working- and middle-class communities. While candidates like Talarico offer a comprehensive vision of a society that works for the working class, candidates like Paxton rely on a strategy of fearmongering and scapegoating. And while mainstream narratives about Texas project the idea that the Texas electorate —especially working-class people — are a MAGA stronghold, David discusses with us in this episode, a long history of left organizing in Texas. Thanks for listening to this episode of KK&F. This episode will be available tomorrow on major streaming platforms.